Sunset Ridge-6th Grade
Mr. Chapman and Mrs. Blaine
2013-2014
Welcome to our class
 Thank you
 Teaching experience
 Class expectations…jobs…citizenship…TEAM
Daily Schedule
 8:45-8:55 Attendance/Pledge
 8:55-10:25 Math/LA
 10:25-11:55 LA/Math
 11:55-12:40 Lunch and Recess (in that order)
 12:40-1:45 Science/ Social Studies
 1:45-2:45 Social Studies/Science
 2:45-3:00 Specials
Curriculum-overview
 Social Studies: We will be studying geography, the history of ancient
civilizations and world religions.
 Science: We will be exploring subjects like the diversity of life,
weather and water, cells, the scientific method, and research.
 Math: A strong emphasis will be placed on fractions, geometry,
decimals, percents, place value, graphing, and more fractions. We will
conclude the year with a “house building” project and look forward to
seeing you at our real estate sale.
 Reading: We have a wonderful literature textbook containing great
stories by well known authors. This will serve as our tool as we explore
different genres of literature. We will utilize reading strategies and
elements of literature to make connections and determine the theme of
the stories we read.
 Writing: Students will continue working with the six traits of writing.
They will produce writing in several areas including reports, personal
narratives, formal communication, and poetry.
Assessments-SBG
 Assessments are used to guide instruction and gather
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data regarding student achievement. Students will be
tested regularly in all subject areas.
Your child will have a spelling and vocabulary test
every Thursday.
The reading comprehension tests will be given
weekly on Friday.
Notice is always given regarding periodic assessments
in all other subjects.
Standards-based grading--Final grades are based on
these summative assessments.
Students can retake assessments until they’ve
mastered a standard once they’ve completed all of the
practice.
Practice(formerly known as homework)
 As a general rule, less than 1 hour of practice
is given nightly. The students are usually given
time in class to work on assignments and to ask any
questions. Interactive student notebook (ISN)
reflections are worked on daily in class, but are
sometimes completed as part of nightly practice.
Outside work that will always be at home:
 *Read 30 minutes nightly
 *Weekly spelling/vocabulary menu, due Thursdays
 *20 minutes of math practice nightly
Discipline
 Our school’s mission statement:
 “Sunset Ridge will build a diverse learning environment that will
challenge our students to reach their highest level of academic
potential. Opportunities for inquiry, reflection, practice, and
mastery of basic academic and social skills necessary to be
successful citizens will be evident.”
 Along with our mission statement, we use a Hawk Pride Card which
documents our positive as well as negative behaviors. Behaviors that impair
the learning environment are handled in the following way:
1st -offense= conference with student
2nd -offense= parent phone call/ contact
3rd -offense= parent phone call/ contact w/ detention
4th -offense= Parent/Teacher/Student conference and 2nd
after- school detention
 5th -offense= office referral
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Rewards
 We look forward to rewarding students for
showing positive behavior, and for following
the Six Pillars of Character.
 We will be giving out “Hawk cards” for
following school expectations which can then
be entered into a drawing for an item from
the Hawk Shop.
 A quarterly breakfast will be provided for
those students who consistently show good
character.
Grades/Progress Reports
 I will not be sending home progress reports unless
there is a specific need.
 Please use the Power School website to monitor
your child’s progress.@
https://ps.dvusd.org/public/. Usernames and
passwords can be obtained from the main office.
 The expectation is that students will be monitoring
their own grades. This includes missing, late, and
absent work.
 If your child is interested in joining NJHS as a
7th grader, s/he needs to have a year-end
GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Accordion folders/communication
 It is strongly encouraged that all students have
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an accordion folder to organize their papers.
We will clean out the sections periodically with
students.
Planners have been provided for students to keep
track of daily/weekly assignments…they can also
be used as a parent/teacher communication tool.
We expect these to be signed nightly for those
students needing extra support.
We will also be setting up a parent group to
receive emails as needed.
Communication/Contact
 Please visit our webpage to receive
additional information about our class.
 We can be reached:
 sunsetridge6.weebly.com
 Work phone-Blaine (623) 445-7873
 Work phone-Chapman (623) 445-7871
 Email: lori.blaine@dvusd.org
 Or derek.chapman@dvusd.org
Any questions?????
 Class procedures?
 Curriculum?
 Expectations?
 Thanks again for sharing your wonderful
children with us…we love them!!!